Despite Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently announcing that fuel duty has been frozen until March 2025, the high cost of petrol is causing many motorists to think about buying a more economical model.
However, despite many companies focusing on introducing efficient yet affordable electric cars, there is still a wide range of petrol models that are incredibly fuel-efficient.
Currently, the most economical petrol car on sale is the Mazda 2, the company’s smallest model with prices starting at £18,615.
Featuring a 1.5 petrol engine, the most economical version of the Japanese city car is surprisingly the most powerful 90bhp variant, which can return an impressive 60.1mpg.
The Mazda also has a good list of standard equipment, with the entry-level Centre Line model featuring climate control, electrically folding door mirrors and an eight-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and smartphone mirroring.
Another incredibly economical new car is the Suzuki Swift, a stylish and rather sporty supermini that is priced from £17,199.
A mild hybrid, featuring a tiny electric generator that powers some of the features typically ran by the engine to improve efficiency, the Swift is able to get 59.7mpg.
The basic version is the most economical, however is still able to accelerate from 0-62mph in just over 13 seconds and reach a top speed of 112mph.
The cheapest new car on sale at £13,695, the Kia Picanto, is also an incredibly economical choice, capable of returning 58.9mpg.
Some motoring experts note that the Picanto’s tiny 1.0 non-turbocharged engine is not ideal for long motorway driving, however has very good performance in city driving.
Like all Kias, the Picanto also comes with a seven-year warranty, giving motorists peace of mind during the time in which they own the car.
One of the most modern economical cars is the Toyota Aygo X, a third generation of the company’s popular city car.
Despite being larger and styled after a bulkier crossover, the Aygo X still features the 1.0-litre engine seen in the original, which can cover nearly as much as the Picanto at 58.8mpg.
Finally, the equally SUV-like Suzuki Ignis is also an economical choice for drivers, getting 56.9mpg from the same 1.2 from the slightly more expensive Swift.
